story: (CNN) -- Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor best known for his tough-as-nails work in such TV series as "Law & Order," "Crime Story," and "Miami Vice," has died. He was 69. 
  
  "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great actor and a wonderful man," said his publicist, Lori De Waal, in a statement Monday. "Dennis Farina was always warmhearted and professional, with a great sense of humor and passion for his profession. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues." 
  
  Farina, who had a long career as a police officer in Chicago, got into acting through director Michael Mann, who used him as a consultant and cast him in his 1981 movie, "Thief." That role led to others in such Mann-created shows as "Miami Vice" (in which Farina played a mobster) and "Crime Story" (in which he starred as Lt. Mike Torello). 
  
  Farina also had roles, generally as either cops or gangsters, in a number of movies, including "Midnight Run" (1988), "Get Shorty" (1995), "The Mod Squad" (1999) and "Snatch" (2000). 
  
  In 2004, he joined the cast of the long-running "Law & Order" after Jerry Orbach's departure, playing Detective Joe Fontana, a role he reprised on the spinoff "Trial by Jury." Fontana was known for flashy clothes and an expensive car, a distinct counterpoint to Orbach's rumpled Lennie Briscoe. 
  
  Farina was on "Law & Order" for two years, partnered with Jesse L. Martin's Ed Green. Martin's character became a senior detective after Farina left the show. 
questions: Is someone in showbiz?
questions: Whom?
questions: What did he do?
questions: Is he still alive?
questions: Was he in movies?
questions: Anything recent?
questions: What happened in the early 80's?
questions: Who cast him?
questions: What was the title of the movie?
questions: What parts did he usually get?
questions: What happened in 2004?
questions: Which one?
questions: Who did he portray?
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questions: What did he have?
questions: Were the characters clothes frumpy?
questions: What were they like?
questions: Was he on the show for five years?
questions: Was he always an actor?
questions: What had he been before?
answers: Yes.
answers:  Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor best known for his tough-as-nails work in such TV series as "Law & Order," "Crime Story," and "Miami Vice," has died
answers: Dennis Farina
answers:  Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor best known for his tough-as-nails work in such TV series as "Law & Order," "Crime Story," and "Miami Vice," has died. 
answers: Actor
answers:  Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor b
answers: No
answers: Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor best known for his tough-as-nails work in such TV series as "Law & Order," "Crime Story," and "Miami Vice," has died
answers: Yes
answers: Farina, who had a long career as a police officer in Chicago, got into acting through director Michael Mann, who used him as a consultant and cast him in his 1981 movie, "Thief."
answers: No
answers: Farina also had roles, generally as either cops or gangsters, in a number of movies, including "Midnight Run" (1988), "Get Shorty" (1995), "The Mod Squad" (1999) and "Snatch" (2000). 
answers: Farina was cast in a film
answers:  got into acting through director Michael Mann, who used him as a consultant and cast him in his 1981 movie, "Thief."
answers: Michael Mann
answers: Farina, who had a long career as a police officer in Chicago, got into acting through director Michael Mann, who used him as a consultant and cast him
answers: "Thief"
answers: Farina, who had a long career as a police officer in Chicago, got into acting through director Michael Mann, who used him as a consultant and cast him in his 1981 movie, "Thief."
answers: cops or gangsters
answers: Farina also had roles, generally as either cops or gangsters, in a number of movies, including "Midnight Run" (1988), "Get Shorty" (1995), "The Mod Squad" (1999) and "Snatch" (2000). 
answers: He joined a TV show cast.
answers: In 2004, he joined the cast of the long-running "Law & Order" 
answers: "Law & Order"
answers: In 2004, he joined the cast of the long-running "Law & Order" after Jerry Orbach's departure,
answers: Detective Joe Fontana
answers: In 2004, he joined the cast of the long-running "Law & Order" after Jerry Orbach's departure, playing Detective Joe Fontana,
answers: No
answers: Fontana was known for flashy clothes and an expensive car, a distinct counterpoint to Orbach's rumpled Lennie Briscoe. 
answers: An expensive car
answers:  Fontana was known for flashy clothes and an expensive car, a distinct counterpoint to Orbach's rumpled Lennie Briscoe. 
answers: No
answers: Fontana was known for flashy clothes and an expensive car, a distinct counterpoint to Orbach's rumpled Lennie Briscoe. 
answers: Flashy
answers: Fontana was known for flashy clothes and an expensive car, a distinct counterpoint to Orbach's rumpled Lennie Briscoe. 
answers: No
answers: Farina was on "Law & Order" for two years, 
answers: No
answers:  Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor best known for his tough-as-nails work in such TV series as "Law & Order,
answers: A cop
answers:  Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor 